English
corundum
Corundum comes from Tamil குருந்தம் ‘ruby, sapphire’.
- Tamilmodernகுருந்தம்kuruntam‘ruby, sapphire’
- Englishtodaycorundum
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Tamilmodernகுருந்தம்kuruntam‘ruby, sapphire’
- Englishtodaycorundum
first attested First attested in the early 18th century (as stated in the etymology)
The story
From Tamil குருந்தம் (kuruntam, “ruby, sapphire”) First attested in the early 18th century.
Every English word from Tamil குருந்தம்
Today it means
noun An extremely hard mineral, a form of aluminum oxide with the chemical formula Al₂O₃, that occurs in the form of the gemstones sapphire and ruby; it is used as an abrasive.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Tamil குருந்தம் / corundum